Happy Blogiversary
Wow! It’s hard to believe but August 1st marked the 2 year blogiversary for The Queen in Between. It has been two years of learning more than I ever dreamed I would need to about this little world. This week I am celebrating by sharing a few tips and will end the week with a few blog goals I’m hoping to accomplish in year three. If that isn’t enough, I am also offering an amazing giveaway so be sure to get registered!
Tips to Blog Like a Queen
Blog Design
Whether you are using blogger or wordpress, designing yourself or hiring a developer, my number one suggestion is to design a page that is eye catching but not too busy and overwhelming. Making your page easy to read and navigate will definitely insure your readers will want to return. I would definitely do things a little differently now compared to two years ago (bye-bye cartoon queen) and would have thought through my layout and fonts a little more carefully. There are so many affordable templates available for both blogger and WP which provide lots of options to meet all different styles.
Quality over Quantity
When I look back at some of my original post, there was often no real structure. I was posting just to post and worried way more about how many times I was posting instead of the quality of the material. I would hope anyone who has been around for the duration would find this has improved with time. We all want to be the “master” blogger but honestly, life happens sometimes, writers block is real and some days I’m really not very interesting. Learning to plan and be more intentional with posting has been a big plus.
Graphics
Gone are the days when you need to be a Photoshop guru to create beautiful graphics. There are so many options out there but I have found using PicMonkey and Fotojet to be the most user friendly for my needs. Fotojet offers so many templates already populated with creative fonts, etc. and dragging in your own picture or a stock photo makes it personal. I have found Fotojet saves me a little time as sometimes I can get a little bogged down choosing fonts and layout. However, if I am using more than one picture in a graphic or editing a photo, I still find PicMonkey to be a little friendlier. Graphics will catch a readers eye and draw them in so I feel they are a big win.
Link-up Parties
Do they really create more views? Umm…heck yes they do! My advice is to find link-ups which fit with your overall blog content. You will rarely, if ever, find me posting on a DIY or craft link party because I’m just not very crafty. If you struggle with writers block at times, finding prompted link-ups (kind of like Spiel the Beans, hint, hint) can really help. The trick is not to just link and run, however. Some of my favorite bloggers have been found as I browse linkup parties.
Comments
Leaving meaningful comments on other blogs and responding to comments on my blog takes way more than I ever envisioned. After trying to keep up and insure I was responding to everyone unsuccessfully, I decided to try Disqus and while it is still time consuming I feel I have a better handle. Do you have to respond to every single comment? Well, I personally feel if someone takes the time to comment on a post the very least I can do is either respond directly or visit their blog. Blogging becomes much more meaningful when you are an active participant.
These are just a few of the “big” tips that come to mind for me! What are some of the best tips you have learned as a blogger? Or if you are a non-blogger what are some of the things you love to see or not see?
Now the fun part! Everyone loves a chance to win something for FREE and I’m giving away the Redefine skincare regimen from Rodan+Fields. I use this regimen along with other great R+F products so enter for your chance to win and get started on your way to beautiful skin! I would love to chat with you if you are currently searching for a new skincare option!
Happy Anniversary!
I've used their eye cream, but would love to win a set. Thank you!
Yay! So happy you are celebrating turning two! I look back on some of my old posts and just cringe. They are so poorly wrote and the photos are terrible. Parts of me wants to delete them, the other parts like seeing how far I have came. Love these tips Shelly!
Happy anniversary and so glad I discovered your blog. Great tips and I love speil the beans!!
Happy Blogiversary my friend!
Happy Blogiversary!!!
Happy blogiversary! I have tried Rodan and Fields before but didn't keep up with it. Would be fun to try it again!
http://www.amemoryofus.com
Happy blogiversary!!!!!!!!!
Jaymie
Happy anniversary!
I've always wanted to try Rodan and Fields but it's never been in the budget to buy it.
Good luck Kathy! I am definitely a fan.
I know Beth, I feel the same way! Some of my old posts are ridiculous.
Hope to see you back tomorrow for our linkup Sarita!
Thanks Laura! Can you believe it's been almost 2 years since we first started "talking" through our blogs?
Thanks you!
I definitely notice a difference when I am consistent with it! Good luck Darcy!
Thank you Jaymie!
Good luck Rosemary!
Ahhh congrats on 2 years girl!! Here's hoping to many more blog posts!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Cheers to you Beautiful Blogiversary Babe!! Your space on the Internet is a highlight of my day! Keep em coming and GREAT tips!!
Sweet lady I'm so glad we hooked up in the blog world and hope to someday meet you in person!!
Thanks Biana!
Congratulations on your anniversary!
Great advice!! Definitely agree with link up! Happy blogiversary 🙂
Love the advice. Congrats! I have tried I think one R&F product.
Great advice!!! Happy blogiversary!!
I love your blog. It is real life and that is what I appreciate!
I love your blog too and I love that you are so down to earth. Oh and that you love wine like me! HAHA I do appreciate that you take the time to respond to the comments. So many bloggers DO NOT and I personally feel that if you want comments, then you should at least try to respond. Especially when someone tells you how much they have enjoyed your post or something to that extent. I have been turned off by several bloggers who have never taken the time to respond to a question or comment. Hope you are having a fun time in SAT. By the snapchats I have seen….. you are!
I haven't but would love to see what R+F could do for my skin. This giveaway would be the perfect way to try out their product before committing with a purchase.
It's been so fun to read and watch your blog grow. Happy Blogiversary!
Thank you Stephanie! I am excited about year 3. Good luck!
Thank you so much Angie!! This comment means so much!
Thanks Jessica!
Thank you Dara! I've tried almost all of them. 🙂 I'm sold.
Thanks Liz! Hope you are having a super week!
Thanks so much Mary!
Happy 2 year blogiversary! Such a cute photo 🙂 I haven't tried it yet, but I have so many friends that sell it, and I have wanted to take the plunge, but other life things keeps getting in the way of the budget. 🙂
I love coming to your little space here everyday !
I enjoy reading your blog! not sure how you have time to do it all! I have never tried R and F.
kandidly kim
Happy blogiversary! Love your blog – your fashion and insight are priceless and I always enjoy how you "keep it real."
Congratulations Shelly!! I've been enjoying your blog since the day I found you. Hope we get to meet in person one of these days. 🙂
Congratulations! Am glad I've found your blog, I enjoy it very much.
These are great tips! I am so thankful I stumbled upon your blog. I truly look forward to it everyday!
Happy Blogiversary! I'm approaching 2 years as well. I am pinning your post to my blogging page because it is so so true. I've learned so much as well and may be talking about it in a future post. So glad our paths have crossed through the blogosphere.
Congnrats. Thank you so much for linking at #overthemoon! I look forward to seeing what you share every week. Please come back for #WonderfulWednesday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Don't forget to comment your link #'s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured! Pinned and shared.
Thank you Tanya! You are one of my faves as well and really just feel one of the bloggers stuck right in my path for a reason. I really hope we are able to meet in person one day.
Thank you Kim….I so glad you enjoy but I can 100% assure you I do not do it all. lol…I fail daily in so many areas and my kids would probably laugh to hear someone say they think I do it all. I love R+F….best of luck on the giveaway! I'm super excited to share this with someone.
Muah…thank you momma!
Thank you Sarah! I feel ya….one of the reasons I signed up to be a consultant was to get a little break on the price. I really do love the products.
Kim we did manage to have lots of fun! Our girls are pretty amazing and we could learn a thing or two from them and the way they don't waste any fun. I feel the same…it is very time consuming and I can only imagine how hard it would be for some of the really big bloggers to actually get to every comment but I really do think it has been one of my fave parts of blogging to really get to know my readers better.
Thanks so much Stacey! We really do need to have some sort of Texas blogger meet up!!
Thanks so much Liz! Your comment means so much.
Emily you have such a sweet heart! I'm truly grateful you stop by my little space and are such a great supporter of me and other bloggers.
Isn't it crazy how fast 2 years can pass? Thanks so much for pinning. Starting my own blog really did open my eyes so much. Hope you are having a super week!
Thanks so much for hosting Marilyn!
Congratulations on Blogiversary #2! Thanks for sharing these wonderful blogging tips, too. They are very helpful. I have been using the R+F sensitive skin care products for my son's eczema and now for my crazy perimenopausal acne that came out of nowhere on my right cheek! It seems to help a little for me, but apparently I need a dermatologist. Ugh.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Great advice! My friend and I are new bloggers and it is way more difficult than I ever imagined! I feel so overwhelmed so I appreciate advice from a successful blogger such as yourself. I really enjoy your blog!
Girl…..don't even get me started on perimenopausal anything!! I'm so ready to be post menopausal at this point. Hope you are having a great week Shelbee!
Thanks so much Kellyann. Yep, I jumped in with no clue how much work blogging really is. Not really sure I would quite classify myself as "successful" yet but it has been a fun journey. What is your blog name? I tried to search but am coming up empty. 🙂
This is so true all around! Happy blogiversary! Pop some champagne! 🙂 🙂 Happy Wednesday friend! Xo
I have never tried R&F but have heard great things about the line and have always wanted to!
I have been wanting to try R&F for past year or so.
Congrats on your 2 year blogversary! I haven't tried R&F yet but I keep seeing people who have had great results!
Thank you Kathleen! Best of luck in the giveaway….best way to try something new is for FREE! 🙂
I have been using for several years and love it! Best of luck…best way to try it out is for FREE!
Best of luck on your chance to try it for free Jodi! I have been very happy and have used R+F for about 4 years.
Thank you Jessi! If you were near we could head out for some mimosas!
Congrats on your two year blogiversary!! You know that I have enjoyed trying out your clothing tips and just reading about your life, you always have something noteworthy to say and are on my list of blogs I check every day. Have never tried R&F but now might be the time 🙂
Congratulations on your 2 year blogiversary! I haven't tried R&F before, but I've heard really good things about it!
Happy Blogiversary to you! Two years and still going strong! You have offered some very practical and easy to implement tips in this post.
Congrats on 2 years! I totally agree with your tips and link parties are fantastic! Its how I found your blog 🙂
Congrats on your second year! I recently had my 3rd year Blogiversary and I'm more excited now! These are good tips. I've gotten back into linkups and not only do I find new bloggers (like you) and an increase in traffic, but also it's pretty awesome to see what others are doing! 🙂